Child Custody

What are My Parental Custody Rights?

Published on: August 17, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What are my custody rights if the other parent moves?”

The day your child is born is one of the happiest of your life. Now that you are a parent, everything has changed. You now care for and protect another human being and have many responsibilities. You also have some parental rights. In North Carolina, both parents are considered to share responsibilities for their children, and they both have rights. When you divorce, you must learn to share your child with your former spouse. It is helpful to understand your rights so you can make sure to have quality time with your child.

Making Shared Physical Custody Work

Published on: June 15, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

When parents divorce, their main concern is usually the welfare of their children. In North Carolina, both parents should generally share custody of their children. Shared physical custody allows both parents to spend quality time with their children on a regular basis. Parents who are able to put their differences aside can provide a stable and loving environment for their children after divorce. A divorce attorney will help you establish the type of custody arrangement that will work best for your family.

Emergency Child Custody in North Carolina

Published on: May 18, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can I do to gain custody of my child in North Carolina?”

Your child’s health and welfare are likely your biggest concern. When a child is in danger it is essential to take immediate action. When a child is in danger, you may file for emergency child custody. Emergency child custody is a request through the court system. The courts take child endangerment seriously and therefore they have a process in place to protect a child from harm. If you believe that the child is in danger you may file for emergency child custody. A child custody attorney will assist you with the request and will guide the process to protect the minor from any potential harm.

What are the Rights of Unmarried Parents?

Published on: May 11, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “How is the amount of child support decided in North Carolina?”

The family dynamic has been changing over the last several decades. Today it is much more acceptable to give birth to children out of wedlock. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, approximately 40.5% of all live births in the United States in 2020 were to unmarried women. While there are many children born to single parents, there are many issues that may arise in regards to child care, custody, support, and visitation. Both parents need to understand their obligations, responsibilities and rights when it comes to their biological children.

How Much Child Support Will I Pay in North Carolina?

Published on: May 4, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What children’s expenses are covered by child support?”

When parents divorce, they are generally both responsible for providing care for their children. Both parents have rights and responsibilities for their children until they become adults. There are a number of criteria that are used to calculate the amount of child support that each parent is to provide. North Carolina uses guidelines that calculate the amount of payments that parents must pay towards their child’s care. A helpful worksheet on the North Carolina Division of Social Services Child Support Services website can give you a better understanding of how calculations will be made.

What are the Grounds for Divorce in North Carolina?

Published on: April 27, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “Do I need an attorney to get a Divorce in North Carolina?”

The decision to end your marriage is one that is not taken lightly. In most cases, you and your spouse have been experiencing problems for some time and have been working unsuccessfully to resolve them. When you finally decide to divorce, you likely have many questions and concerns about the process and what to expect.

Who Pays For College After a Divorce?

Published on: April 20, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What children’s expenses are not covered by child support?”

Parents want the best for their children. A divorce should not mean that the kids will not get the college education they deserve. Regardless of the age of your children when you end your marriage, you want to make arrangements to provide for their college education when the time comes. Generally, divorced parents are both equally responsible for their children’s care. However, support typically ends when a child graduates from high school and does not usually include the costs of higher education. You and your spouse should plan for higher education costs at the time you end your marriage.

What is Divorce From Bed and Board in North Carolina?

Published on: April 16, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “Do I need an attorney to get a Divorce in North Carolina?”

When you wed you believe that you will have a happy married life. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone. Some couples grow apart, and when that happens, you may want to end your union. In North Carolina, there are two main types of divorce. These include divorce from bed and board, and absolute divorce. When you think of divorce, you usually consider the marriage will end, however, that is not always true. Depending on your needs and your beliefs, you may want to obtain a divorce from bed and board. It is helpful to speak to an experienced divorce attorney to ensure that you seek the proper route to end your union.

Parenting Time in North Carolina

Published on: March 9, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “Can I keep my Kids from seeing the other parent?”

One of the most difficult parts of a divorce is having to spend time away from your children. Divorce can make life difficult for everyone. The key to a successful transition is to resolve matters regarding parenting time so that both parents get to have regular time with their children. When you establish a new schedule, kids will often quickly adapt and will get used to their new normal. Both parents should make an attempt to come to an agreement regarding parenting time and other key decisions regarding their children. An experienced divorce attorney will help you create a parenting plan that works.

Current Issues in Family Law

Published on: January 19, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What does uncontested divorce mean?”

Each year, millions of spouses across the United States seek the services of experienced local divorce attorneys who focus on not only divorce, but various other areas of family law such as child custody and property distribution. While some aspects of family law remain relatively stable over time and throughout different jurisdictions, others are prone to frequent change based on a number of factors.